PAK vs BAN: Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh, Aisa Cup 2023, Super Four Match 1

Pakistan will take on Bangladesh at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore on September 6.

The first super 4s stage match of Asia Cup 2023 will be played between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 6, 2023. Pakistan and Bangladesh were both the first teams to qualify for the next stage from their respective groups.

Pakistan had soundly thumped Nepal in the tournament opener in Multan on August 30 by 238 runs, while their next match against India ended in a no result as, after India posted 266 on the board batting first, persistent rain ended all hopes of Pakistan batting.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, had lost their first match to Sri Lanka in a low-scoring encounter but then thumped Afghanistan by 89 runs in the second group match to have a net run rate better than both the other teams.

On the eve of the first super 4s match, Pakistan team management announced their playing XI for the super-important encounter.

1. Fakhar Zaman:

The mercurial opener Fakhar Zaman couldn’t do much with the bat against Nepal, scoring only 14 runs. However, the impact he can have against Bangladesh is known to everyone, given that he is the only Pakistani to score a double ton in ODIs and also has a score of 195 in the format.

Zaman overall has scored 3221 runs in 75 ODIs, including 10 centuries, at an average of 46.68.

2. Imam Ul Haq:

Another batter who has done well in ODIs for Pakistan is Imam Ul Haq. But he was also a no-show for the Men in Green against Nepal, scoring only 5 runs and getting out in the first over itself. He is a classic ODI batter with good technique.

Imam has scored 2889 runs in 64 ODIs with 9 tonnes, a best of 151, and an average of 50.68.

3. Babar Azam (C):

The No. 1 ranked ODI batter and Pakistan captain Babar Azam posted the highest individual score by a captain in Asia Cup when he made 151 against Nepal in the tournament opener. It was a brilliant knock and showed why Babar has maintained his number one position.

Azam has 5353 runs in 105 ODIs with 19 centuries and an average of 59.47, he is one ton away to equalise Saeed Anwar’s record for most ODI centuries by a Pakistani.

4. Mohammad Rizwan (WK)

Mohammad Rizwan is the perfect partner for Babar and is brilliant behind the wickets. A good leader himself, Rizwan often helps Babar with DRS calls and has scored 44 against Nepal. In 62 ODIs, Rizwan has made 1542 runs with two centuries to his name at an average of 34.26.

5. Salman Ali Agha

Agha Salman is one of the rising stars of the Pakistani team, and even in his short ODI career, the right-hander has 401 runs in 16 ODIs with 3 fifties and has picked up 4 wickets thus far. He provides much support to Shadab Khan.

6. Iftikhar Ahmed:

The hero, along with Babar from the Nepal match win, Iftikhar Ahmed, hammered his maiden century in ODIs, and what a knock it was, hitting 11 fours and 4 sixes. Iftikhar is known for doing such miracles, and Pakistan would like him to continue doing so against Bangladesh.

7. Shadab Khan (VC):

Vice-captain of Pakistan Shadab Khan couldn’t pick any wicket against India but was excellent against Nepal, picking 4/27. He is the heart and energy of the Pakistan team, and in 61 ODIs, he has 81 wickets and 725 runs, with four fifties to his name.

His performance against Bangladeshi players, who are good against spin, will be crucial on a flat Lahore pitch.

8. Faheem Ashraf

Faheem Ashraf is the only change that Pakistan has made, as he replaces Mohammad Nawaz in the playing XI. He recently made his comeback into ODI cricket after two years and, in 32 ODIs, scored 1103 runs and 28 wickets with the ball.

9. Naseem Shah :

Naseem Shah was unplayable against both Nepal and India and has a total of 4 wickets in the Asia Cup 2023 thus far. In his young career of 12 ODIs, Naseem has taken 29 wickets with a best of 5/33, and against Bangladesh, his extra pace will help Pakistan control the flow of runs early on.

10. Shaheen Afridi :

The best pacer in the world, Shaheen Afridi, was the star against India, picking up four wickets, and he picked up two against Nepal as well. He got the ball to swing against India, and in Lahore, he will be lethal, to say the least, as it is his home ground in the PSL, as he captains the Lahore Qalandars and knows the pitch inside out.

11 Haris Rauf :

Haris Rauf needs one more wicket to complete 50 wickets in ODIs, and he will look forward to doing so against Bangladesh on September 5. The flat Lahore wicket will suit Rauf’s pace, and Bangladeshi batters will feel the heat of his speed.